Safety is Not For Sale Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 7372
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Transportation and Public Works
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-18T15:32:10Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Safety is Not For Sale Act" (H.R. 7372) aims to promote motor vehicle safety by requiring that optional safety features—such as collision alerts or lane-keeping aids—be available for purchase or lease separately from non-safety (convenience or luxury) features. This prevents bundling practices that might make safety options less accessible or transparent, ultimately encouraging their adoption to reduce accidents.
Key Provisions
- Prohibition on Bundling: Manufacturers and sellers cannot offer optional safety features for sale or lease to the first buyer (the initial owner or lessee) unless they are:
- Provided separately from any non-safety features, or
- Included as standard equipment in a specific vehicle trim level (a version of the model with shared design elements).
- Disclosure Requirement: The cost of optional safety features must be clearly and prominently shown separately from non-safety features.
- Effective Date: These rules take effect 180 days after the bill becomes law.
- Enforcement Mechanisms:
- Violations are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) with full investigative and penalty powers.
- States can file civil lawsuits on behalf of residents to stop violations, seek penalties, or obtain compensation, but must notify the FTC at least 60 days in advance (or immediately if urgent). The FTC can intervene in state cases.
- If the FTC or U.S. Attorney General is already pursuing a federal case, states cannot file parallel actions against the same defendant for the same issue.
- Prevailing states can recover court costs and attorney fees.
- Definitions (simplified for clarity):
- Optional Safety Feature: Non-standard equipment that aids safety, such as systems for avoiding collisions, alerting distracted drivers, improving road visibility (e.g., better lights or cameras), notifying emergency services after crashes, or other functions approved by the FTC in consultation with the Department of Transportation.
- Non-Safety Feature: Optional add-ons like luxury interiors that don't enhance safety.
- Motor Vehicle Model/Trim: Groups of vehicles with similar design and build; "standard equipment" is what's included in all vehicles of a model, while "standard trim equipment" is included in all of a specific trim.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This bill introduces new federal restrictions on how optional safety features are marketed and sold, building on but expanding the FTC's authority over deceptive practices in auto sales.
- It does not alter core vehicle safety standards under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration but adds consumer protection rules specifically targeting bundling and pricing transparency for advanced driver-assistance systems (like partial automation or alerts).
- Previously, there were no explicit federal mandates separating safety from luxury options, allowing manufacturers flexibility in packaging; this shifts toward mandatory unbundling options.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens/Consumers: Improves access to life-saving technologies by making them easier and more affordable to add without buying unnecessary luxuries, potentially reducing road fatalities through wider adoption of features like automatic emergency braking.
- On Government Agencies: Empowers the FTC with direct enforcement tools and coordination with states, increasing oversight of the auto industry; may require additional resources for investigations and rulemaking on what qualifies as a "safety feature."
- On the Auto Industry: Manufacturers and dealers must revise sales practices, pricing disclosures, and vehicle configurations, possibly increasing compliance costs but also standardizing offerings across trims.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it could influence global auto standards if U.S. manufacturers (many with international operations) adapt practices for export markets.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Auto Manufacturers and Dealers: Primary targets, as they must comply with unbundling and disclosure rules for sales/leases.
- Consumers (First Purchasers): Benefit from clearer choices and potentially lower costs for safety add-ons.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC): Gains enforcement authority and a role in defining safety features.
- State Attorneys General: Enabled to protect residents through lawsuits, enhancing state-level consumer protection.
- Department of Transportation: Indirectly involved via consultations on safety feature definitions.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens consumer protection laws by integrating state parens patriae (acting on behalf of residents) actions with federal oversight, while preserving states' independent investigative powers. No limits on FTC's existing authority, avoiding conflicts with broader trade regulations.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's commerce clause power to regulate interstate auto sales; includes procedural safeguards (e.g., FTC intervention rights) to prevent overreach or forum-shopping between federal and state courts.
- Political: Promotes public safety priorities amid growing concerns over vehicle automation and distracted driving, but could face industry pushback over added regulatory burdens. Neutral in partisanship, focusing on transparency rather than mandating features as standard.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-10: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote.
- 2026-02-10: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade.
- 2026-02-04: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
- 2026-02-04: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safety is Not For Sale Act — issued 2026-02-04 — PDF (9 pages)